Currently in beta, the Xbox Live version of 1 vs. 100 is free to all Gold members, but Microsoft seems to be mulling a pay-to-play format, at least if this image is to be believed. The picture, which was sent to Joystiq by an anonymous tipster, is supposedly from a survey meant to judge consumer willingness to pay $15 per season of the online multiplayer game show. I can just imagine Gold members frantically groping for a pen, uncontrollably salivating at the thought of tossing more money at Microsoft.
I was going to assume a sarcastic tone for this post, and suggest that a $15 fee would be wonderful, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. That would have been way too easy, and I like a challenge. To illustrate, I once tried to rub my stomach and pat my head simultaneously, but reluctantly gave up after I determined it to be impossible. Simply can’t be done. You would have better luck eating a walrus tusk with chopsticks.
If this survey is indeed legit, it doesn’t offer proof that the Saget-free 1 vs. 100 will adopt a pay-to-play format in the future. Rather, it merely suggests that Microsoft is open to the idea. It could happen; it might not. Given that the platform holder isn’t shy about charging for ad-supported services, I would say it’s quite possible, but that’s merely my opinion. Though, my opinion is highly regarded, and considered law in three places: my head, Cloud City and Madagascar.
However, I ask: Who in the name of sweet Blue would actually select “Definitely would?” Why would someone give Microsoft the impetus to reach deeper into his/her pockets? Why openly admit that you would be willing to pay for something that you currently enjoy gratis? You would have to be a complete nut. Certifiable even. If you were to show up at a Scientology meeting, Tom Cruise would proclaim, “That’s one crazy asshole.” And that would be coming from an individual who seems to be six beers short of a six pack.
Consumer surveys can provide valuable information, but given the circumstances, would this survey garner anything but a mountain of “Definitely wouldn’t” and “Probably wouldn’t” responses? Are there really individuals dense enough to opt otherwise? I just shuddered because I know the answer to that question.
Source: Joystiq
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I definitely would not. I only like the game because it’s free. Start charging and they can watch my bootay walk out of the mob.
Not just no but H*** no. I don’t mind paying for a Gold membership, it is a value add and is reasonably priced…but 15 dollars more, for 13 weeks of being 1 of 20000-80000 players? I like the game but not that much.
Now, if they offered it free to Goldies and a *small* charge to Silver, I could see that working. However, I would prefer a per-ep or per-day charge, 25-50 MS points or something to opt-in to that day’s games rather than a “season pass”.
Do we know how long a season is? One ep a week, daily, 2x-3x a week? The answer to that question might lower the intensity of my “No.” But it would still be No.
Don’t forget, someone asked MS via OXM a while ago “Will we be able to buy avatar clothing?” Some fool somewhere will answer “Definitely”.